Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS requires organizations that handle credit card information to conduct regular vulnerability assessments (Requirement 6) and penetration testing (Requirement 11) to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): While HIPAA does not explicitly mandate vulnerability assessments or penetration testing, it requires covered entities and business associates to implement security measures to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI), which often includes conducting regular security assessments.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR requires organizations that process personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU) to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of personal data. While not explicitly stated, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are considered essential components of GDPR compliance.
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): FISMA mandates federal agencies to implement security controls, including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing, to protect their information systems and data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: While not a regulatory requirement, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides voluntary guidance for organizations to manage and improve their cybersecurity risk management processes, including conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
ISO/IEC 27001: ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). While it does not specifically require vulnerability assessments or penetration testing, it emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing security risks, which often involves conducting regular security assessments, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): SOX requires publicly traded companies to establish and maintain internal controls over financial reporting. While it does not explicitly mention vulnerability assessments or penetration testing, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of financial data, which may involve conducting security assessments.
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): CMMC is a cybersecurity framework developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to assess and enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of defense contractors and subcontractors. CMMC requires organizations to implement security controls, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI).
Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Standards: Various regulations and standards, such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) CIP standards for the electric power industry, require organizations in critical infrastructure sectors to implement security measures, which may include vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, to protect critical assets and systems.
Industry-Specific Regulations: Many industry-specific regulations and standards, such as the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) guidelines for financial institutions or the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) framework for healthcare organizations, include requirements for conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to protect sensitive data and assets.
These are some of the top requirements or standards that mandate vulnerability assessments or penetration testing to ensure the security and integrity of organizational systems and data. Compliance with these requirements helps organizations mitigate security risks, protect sensitive information, and maintain regulatory compliance.
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